Pests, critters, creepy-crawlies…whatever word you may use, a bug is a bug. Or is it an insect? Believe it or not, there are differences between the two. Did you know, while all bugs are indeed insects, not all insects are bugs? It sounds crazy – we know – but there are a few major differences that prove not all insects are true bugs. Our professionals at Clark Exterminating are here to help you decipher between a true bug or simply just an insect.
Bugs suck…literally. A true bug possesses mouthparts that allow them to pierce an object or fellow living being and suck the fluids out of the plant or animal. While true bugs have this pierce-and-suck tactic, insects that are not bugs do not have this ability.
Bugs and insects also grow and mature differently. True bugs go through what is called incomplete metamorphosis, while insects that are not bugs go through a complete metamorphosis. Incomplete metamorphosis has three stages: egg > nymph > adult. Once the bug hatches out of the egg and becomes a nymph, this is just a baby version of their adult being. Complete metamorphosis contains four stages: egg > larva > pupa > adult. The prime example of an insect that goes through complete metamorphosis is the butterfly. The caterpillar is the larva stage of the butterfly, while the pupa stage is when it’s wrapped inside of its cocoon.
There are eight main divisions of taxonomy: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Insects are in the phylum of arthropods, which is split into two classes: arachnids and insects. There are more than 30 – yes, 30 – different orders of insects. While true bugs fall within the class of insects, they actually have their own solitary order: hemiptera, which contains between 50,000 and 80,000 groups of species. So taxonomically speaking, all bugs are indeed insects, but not all insects are considered “true” bugs. Arachnids, the other class within the phylum of arthropods, are neither insects or bugs. Common arachnids, besides the eight-legged creature commonly referred to as the spider, include ticks, mites, chiggers, scorpions, and daddy longlegs.Colloquially speaking, the words bug and insect can be used interchangeably. But if we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty, they can in fact be very different. Regardless of what you call them, if you see an increase in pests near your home, or are due for your yearly inspection, give your friends at Clark Exterminating a call. Don’t forget: we offer FREE in-home estimates, so call us today to set up an appointment. Remember, the bug stops here!
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